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Maya monuments and maize in the Americas [LIDAR discovery of Aguada Fenix]
Cosmos ^ | Wednesday, June 3, 2020 | Nick Carne

Posted on 06/04/2020 8:51:07 AM PDT by SunkenCiv

In Mexico, LiDAR (light detection and ranging) equipment uncovered what researchers say is the largest and oldest known Maya monument, while in neighbouring Belize, isotopic analysis of human remains provided the earliest timeline for the adoption of maize as a staple crop.

The discovery at Tabasco near the border with Guatemala suggests the Maya civilisation developed more rapidly than previously thought and hints at less social inequality than in later periods, according to the international research team led by Takeshi Inomata and Daniela Triadan from the University of Arizona US.

Known as Aguada Fénix, the monument lurked beneath the surface for centuries, despite measuring 1400 metres by 400 and standing 15 metres high in places. It was discovered when laser beams penetrated the tree canopy, and their reflections off the ground revealed the three-dimensional forms of archaeological features.

"This area is developed. It's not the jungle - people live there," says Inomata. "But this site was not known because it is so flat and huge. It just looks like a natural landscape."

...The results of the second study, published in the journal Science Advances, indicate that maize began to take on an increasingly important dietary role for humans in Mesoamerica roughly 4700 years ago, and within 700 years had become a true staple crop, accounting for as much as 70% of total diet...

The researchers found that individuals older than 4700 years showed no clear evidence of maize consumption, while some dating between 4700 and 4000 years ate a diet consisting of as much as 30% maize. The youngest samples, dating to less than 4000 years, showed evidence for as much as 70% maize consumption.

(Excerpt) Read more at cosmosmagazine.com ...


TOPICS: History; Science; Travel
KEYWORDS: agriculture; aguadafenix; belize; chiapas; dietandcuisine; godsgravesglyphs; lidar; maize; maya; mayans; mexico; tabasco; takeshiinomata
3D image of the site of Aguada Fénix. Credit: Takeshi Inomata

3D image of the site of Aguada Fénix. Credit: Takeshi Inomata

1 posted on 06/04/2020 8:51:07 AM PDT by SunkenCiv
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To: StayAt HomeMother; Ernest_at_the_Beach; 1ofmanyfree; 21twelve; 24Karet; 2ndDivisionVet; 31R1O; ...
Thanks Grimmy.

2 posted on 06/04/2020 8:52:49 AM PDT by SunkenCiv (Imagine an imaginary menagerie manager imagining managing an imaginary menagerie.)
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To: SunkenCiv

“Individuals older than 4700 years”

No wonder Social Security is going broke.


3 posted on 06/04/2020 9:06:09 AM PDT by blueunicorn6 ("A crack shot and a good dancer”)
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To: SunkenCiv
69 samples of charcoal determined the complex was constructed between 1000 and 800 BCE.

Around the time of Saul, David, Solomon and Rehoboam in Israel and Judah in the Middle East ......................

4 posted on 06/04/2020 9:16:23 AM PDT by Red Badger (Always trust God............but wash your hands......................)
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To: SunkenCiv

Aw, man? Ya never take me anywhere!

(Looks like a football field....)

;o]

‘Face


5 posted on 06/04/2020 9:57:10 AM PDT by Monkey Face ("I can't think of a tagline." ~~ Darksheare ~~)
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To: SunkenCiv

LIDAR has the potential to completely change archaeology. Numerous unknown ancient sites have been discovered in Egypt, more than can be dealt with in the near term.

Note the size of the above LIDAR instrument; no expensive air equipment, no risk of human life over perilous terrain. No fuel limitations.

6 posted on 06/04/2020 10:05:05 AM PDT by Bob Ireland (The Democrap Party is the enemy of freedom.They use all the seductions and deceits of the Bolshevics)
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To: SunkenCiv

Amazing what LIDAR is finding for archeologists to dig up.


7 posted on 06/04/2020 10:27:57 AM PDT by oldvirginian (The average "progressive" makes Jethro Bodean look like Albert Einstein)
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To: Monkey Face

It was first identified using radio. Apparently it continuously broadcasts “I’m your Fenix, I’m Aguada”.

[long pause]

/rimshot


8 posted on 06/04/2020 10:39:05 AM PDT by SunkenCiv (Imagine an imaginary menagerie manager imagining managing an imaginary menagerie.)
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To: SunkenCiv

*face palm*


9 posted on 06/04/2020 10:48:49 AM PDT by Monkey Face ("I can't think of a tagline." ~~ Darksheare ~~)
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To: SunkenCiv

LMBO!!!


10 posted on 06/06/2020 6:17:07 PM PDT by NCDragon ( Americans will always do the right thing, after they've exhausted all the alternatives. WC)
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To: SunkenCiv
This is so old news...

I'd of guessed you've seen this before..........

11 posted on 06/06/2020 6:22:03 PM PDT by Osage Orange (Mar's isn't a place to raise your kid...)
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To: Osage Orange

http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/takeshiinomata/index

http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/lidar/index


12 posted on 06/06/2020 6:46:19 PM PDT by SunkenCiv (Imagine an imaginary menagerie manager imagining managing an imaginary menagerie.)
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